Another well researched and well written true crime book from Caitlin Rother. Unfortunately as no-one from the accused family /defence team consented to be interviewed it is a bit understandably, one-sided. ( )

Long, long, book for a moderate story - could have used some severe editing. If you like true crime this book is worth reading but you'll have to tolerate a wandering story line and lots of tangential information. I found myself questioning : "who is the author talking about now?!?". Definitely not a "thriller" but still worth a read if you like oddball stories.

Audiobook note : very good narrator, I think that's what kept me reading. ( )

In her latest novel, Then No One Can Have Her, investigative journalist / author Caitlin Rother takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting true crime thriller for an in depth look at a highly publicized murder case set in Prescott, Arizona.

On July 2, 2008, fifty-three year old artist / therapist Carol Kennedy was brutally murdered in her home. Suspected of committing the murder was Carol's ex-husband, Steven DeMocker, a successful investment stockbroker. This is a story of a narcissistic man's obsession and lethal bitterness towards his ex-wife, and an intricate web of lies, secrets, deceptions, a failed love, a divided family, and a shady and often inept investigative and legal process that took six years for the justice system to prevail.

Then No One Can Have Her is a riveting story that easily draws the reader in from the start, keeping them captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and intricate recounting of a highly publicized murder case. I remember seeing this case profiled on the CBS investigative / mystery show 48 Hours in May 2014, so when I saw that the author was writing an in depth true crime novel based on this case, it peaked my interest and I knew that I had to read it.

The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed and in depth look into the back stories and lives of each participant; an extensive research of the investigative, legal and financial aspects of the case; and a sixteen page photo insert.

You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story, it is a gripping dark account of the intricate web of deceit wrought by Steven DeMocker, it is shocking and mind boggling that it took the justice system six years to convict him of the horrific slaughter of Carol Kennedy. After an extensive and determined investigation and pursuit of justice for the Kennedy/DeMocker family, the reader follows a haunting tale of one woman's tragic and senseless death, and the depth of greed and deception by an obsessive and narcissistic man that ensued until his conviction and sentence of life in prison without the possibility of a parole in 2014.

Then No One Can Have Her is a gripping and chilling account of murder, greed, and deception that is a must read for all true crime fans.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2015/11/then-no-one-can-have-her-by-ca... ( )

In July 2008 Carol Kennedy was found dead in her home. At first glance the scene looked like an accident. Upon closer inspection it was determined the scene was staged and Carol had been murdered. The main suspect was her ex-husband Steve DeMocker, but there was no clear cut evidence he did it, no ‘smoking gun’. In fact several witnesses testified he had never been abusive. But he was.

Ms. Rother shows by her careful relating of events how abuse is not always physical. What I like about this book, is that through all the drama, the twists and turns and the “SMDH” moments, Ms. Rother never loses what this case is about, a woman who was brutally murdered. The detectives were committed to finding evidence of her killer and the prosecutor was committed to convicting him. Also Ms. Rother shows no bias in her writing, she is very much a just the facts writer. How she spins them into a lay-person readable format is magic, I guess. She also doesn’t insert herself into the narrative. I mention these three things because these are the things that turn me off from certain books/authors.

From start to finish I was gripped by this book. At times I put it down and read something else, but when I came back to it, I was able to pick up and keep reading, I never had to skim back, it was that compelling. I recommend this book. ( )

I’ve just finished reading Then No One Can Have Her , and as I have read Caitlin Rother’s books before, and loved them, this one did not disappoint, except that Carol died.
What a long journey for justice in this case, and the author has documented so well, that you feel your living with these people on a daily basis. When you see pictures of this couple, you see what looks like a loving solid unit, and they called each other their soul mates. What you can’t see is Steven DeMocker sexual addiction and his multiple affairs, sometimes more than one woman at a time.
We look at this story through Caitlin’s eyes and all the research and hours of investigation she put to pull out all of the facts. We feel Steven’s daughter’s pain at what has happened to their mother, and then what their father asks of them. How do you deal with the fact that your father is accused of murdering your mother? Breaks my heart.
Wait until you see the lengths Steven goes to implicate another person, including putting his daughter in legal trouble, possible jail time. To say he is a “Me” person is putting it bluntly; he uses everyone, including his family, which included his parents. His retired father even had to go back to work to help pay his mounting legal fees.
Has justice been served, lets hope so, nothing will ever bring Carol back, and maybe he is satisfied with that, as the book title points out. We will never know what makes a person act like Steven does, but at least he is behind bars.
I received this book from the Author, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )